"When I go back to the UK and say 'Did I make the decision because I believed it was right, or did I make it because it was the right political decision?', I can put my hand on my heart and say I think it is the right rugby decision," Gatland said.

Brian O'Driscoll's Lions record

Tours:
4 (2001, 2005, 2009, 2013)

Matches:
18 (8 Tests)

Tries:
9 (1 in Tests)

Captain:
7 times (1 Test)

Test record:
2 wins, 6 defeats

O'Driscoll, 34, was expected to take over the captaincy in the absence of the
injured Sam Warburton,
but failed to even make the match-day 23.

"It is only hard because you are making the decision by using your head and not your heart," added Gatland.

"Then you realise what comes of making a decision like that is all the periphery stuff, not the rugby decision, because it becomes a major story for 48 hours and a big debate.

"That is the process I have gone through.

"But I would hate to think we made calls based on trying to avoid any criticism or [gain] public popularity."

While O'Driscoll has almost certainly played his last game in a Lions shirt at the end of his fourth and final tour, Gatland was reluctant to indulge in tributes to a player who has opted to continue his career with Leinster and Ireland for another year.

"He is not finished yet," the New Zealander said. "He has been a big part of this tour.

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"He played in the first two Tests, and he is obviously very disappointed as any player would be.

"Like everything, it is a learning process. It is quite hard when you have been number one in your position for 15 years and have been first choice in every team you have been part of.

"There are a lot of people who have experienced the disappointment of Brian always being selected ahead of them. It is just part of sport, isn't it?

"We have made a really tough decision, and that is part of it too.

"Brian has been around a long time. He understands how things work. He is a professional and he appreciated we had the conversation. We don't always speak to everyone [before announcing the team] but he was one that definitely needed the respect of being spoken to."

Australia coach Robbie Deans said Gatland's decision was potentially good news for the Wallabies.

"He's a legend of the game," Deans said of O'Driscoll. "From our perspective it's a little bit of experience gone. We were anticipating he would play.

"It's not a surprise [Gatland has] gone to the Welsh players. He knows them well."

The
furore over O'Driscoll's omission
overshadowed a team selection that with the introduction of Roberts, Mike Phillips, Richard Hibbard, Alex Corbisiero, Sean O'Brien and Toby Faletau, sends out a clear signal that the Lions intend to subject Australia to a ferocious physical assault.

Analysis

Ian RobertsonBBC rugby union correspondent

"You just wonder if they got a lucky bag and picked some names out. The Lions won the first Test and made eight changes to their squad. The Wallabies won the second and probably won't make any changes.

"The Lions lose by one point and there are six changes in the team and three guys on the bench who were nowhere near the team for the second Test.

"I was convinced Brian O'Driscoll should have been named as captain. It's catastrophic leaving him out. He's still one of the top centres in world rugby. He's a fantastic guy and has been on four tours and knows it all inside out.

"It's a massive mistake."

While the Wallabies neutered the Lions' expected set-piece strength in
Melbourne
and restricted their attacking game, Gatland does not believe they will be able to summon the same emotional intensity to the task in Sydney.

By way of example, the Lions coach recalled the time his Wasps side played Leicester in the last game of the regular Premiership season in 2005 at Welford Road, when Tigers legends Martin Johnson and Neil Back were playing their last game for the club.

Leicester won comfortably that day, but a fortnight later "they couldn't bring the same emotion and we put 40 points on them in the Premiership final," Gatland noted.

"It is hard to get yourself completely on edge every week.

"Australia had to be like that last week. You saw that with the reaction of [captain] James Horwill at the end.

"We think emotionally we can improve quite a bit. I would question whether they could do the same.

"Emotionally we will be there on Saturday, which is why we have picked a side that physically we think will dominate them."

Not really a Rugby fan and stumbled on this thread but wow, very impressed with the commitment of fans - 1000+ comments and counting. A neglected sport and lacking in genuine TV backing. A 'proper' sport with genuine fans, good luck

I'm looking for Ian Robertson's apology and can't find it. Anyone know where to look? After game one player, a hero of the series said he'd read dross like this and felt like public enemy number one: Robertson, this is a resigning issue.

Now will the so-called experts, old rugby has-beens, TV old boys keep their thoughts to themselves and support decisions and only moan after the event - I doubt it. WELL DONE LADS - WE WHO PLAY SUPPORT YOU AT THE COALFACE NOT LIKE SOME - UNFORTUNATELY TOO MANY TO MENTION!!

#38.derek mathieson 4th July 2013 - 7:20 38.derek mathieson @33How will George Smith struggle and exactly what is his strategy?Struggle? - like that...Strategy? - Shut down their back row (and their pack) and run a few tries in?Enjoy eating your words.

To the negative, hating, nationalistic, anti Lions, knocking, moaning posters. Go eat your words, which remain for all to see. Keep your heads down, change your user name in embarrassment. Or have the guts to admit you were wrong, and applaud the Lions?

Lions players past and present seem disturbed by BOD's omission. Now the Oz midfield is too strong for the Lions. JR and JD may have played well together but there are significant weaknesses in their selection. It is beyond belief that BOD will not even be starting with replacements available. This sudden change sends a bad message to the players reflected in the published shock of ex players

James JD is a fantastic centre, i hope he wins us the match, but, i'm more against how BOD has been treated, it's just not cricket in my book, the time he's worn the shirt, the injury's he's overcome the commitment the drive, he's as brave as a LION , it's almost like Warren has decided it counts for nothing and that's what makes me angry, Could you Alex Ferguson doing that to Paul Scholes ?

Stats are not perfect in analysis but those data available show a big advantage for BOD over JD esp in missed tackles. The strategy used by Warren is not ideal for using BOD but in a crunch historic match players will always tell you that an experienced leader counts for much more than just his physical contribution. That is why George Smith is back for the Wallabies.

it's an absolute disgrace what he's done. he basically begged him to go on tour , when Brian wanted time off and one of the biggest ever Lions, he's dropped Bria in his last game from the squad. Obviously Brian has said or rubbed Warren up the wrong way . Even in the unlikely event we beat them , i feel disgusted at what he's done, not just to Brian , but to Sean Edwards aswell.

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